Plot Summary
While stationed at a U.S. Army base on an island in the Pacific, idealistic Lieutenant Hearn (Cliff Robertson) has the nerve to question the morality of his mentor, grizzled veteran General Cummings (Raymond Massey). As a consequence, Hearn is reassigned to lead a squad of soldiers on a dangerous mission -- much to the dismay of the previous squad leader, cynical warmonger Sergeant Croft (Aldo Ray). As the squad nears its goal, the relationship between Hearn and Croft rapidly deteriorates.